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In Topeka, Kansas, solidarity across transportation and sheet metal has helped strengthen our union — and forged bonds of friendship among SMART-TD and Local 2 (Kansas City) officers.

SMART-TD GO-953 General Chairperson Luke Edington explained:

“Our general committee has extra office space which has been utilized by a business representative from Local 2 for over 10 years. We also gave office space to an organizer for a couple years who focused on the Topeka area.

“I’ve seen several good business representatives in our office over those years, and the latest one, Rich Deviney, is stellar. His devotion, work ethic and leadership are unmatched and have brought the local numerous members from our area.

“We give Rich full access to all the resources from our office (meeting rooms, copy services, etc.), and he uses them to their full advantage, which is fantastic. The local hosts training sessions each week in the evenings, new members are in here weekly to talk with Rich, and current members come in to get help with issues.

“This is a testament not just to what Rich has done for his sheet metal brothers and sisters, but also the relationship he’s built with his TD brothers here in the office. We’ve adopted him as one of our own.”

Pictured from left to right: Sr. Vice General Chairperson Michael Moore, Sr. Vice General Chairperson Kurt Christensen, Rich Deviney, Sr. Vice General Chairperson Zachary Nagy

SMART Local 2 in Kansas City participated in a new recruitment event in summer 2022. Earlier in the year, Business Manager Greg Chastain approached the Local 2 Women’s Committee to discuss how the local could reach a more diverse group when recruiting. The Women’s Committee immediately thought of Pride month.

Every June, Kansas City hosts a LGBTQ+ Pride parade and celebration that draws thousands of people — ideal for reaching every gender, age group and demographic. Local 2 supported the Women’s Committee’s suggestion by reserving two booths at the event.

When Pride month arrived, the Women’s Committee set up monitors with slideshows showing various aspects of the sheet metal trade and highlighting beautiful projects that have been made a staple of the city skyline. The booth also showcased multiple duct fittings and school projects, and the Women’s Committee passed out recruitment materials to visitors, including pamphlets about apprenticeships and benefits. The number one attraction at the booth was the virtual welder: Visitors of all age groups and experience levels were able to show their welding abilities.

All told, the Women’s Committee and Local 2 volunteers handed out swag and union information to more than 2,500 people. Several teachers and school counselors visited the booth, where they voiced that they would like to share information about apprenticeship programs and trades with their students to complement information about the college path.

Since June, Local 2 has seen an uptick in applications stemming from this event, and many applicants have already passed their tests and are awaiting placement. In other words, the LGBTQ+ Pride booths were a massive success.